View Full Version : Manfrotto RC2 or RC4
Can anyone explain the difference between the Manfrotto quick release heads:
RC2 and RC4?
Right put it this way............. is the diff between a Manfrotto ballhead 488RC4 and a 486RC2 worth £12?
PLEASE GUYS...ANYONE?........... I AM WAITING TO ORDER!!!!
mfwild13
03-01-2007, 20:37
Different quick release plates. RC2 is the most commonly used for SLRs.
486 and 488 are different size heads though so there is bound to be a reasonable price difference.
486RC2 (http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/site/manfrotto/cache/off/pid/2304?livid=80|81&idx=83) 488RC2 (http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/site/manfrotto/cache/off/pid/2306?livid=80|81&idx=83)
488RC4 (http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/site/manfrotto/cache/off/pid/2308?livid=80|81&idx=83)
Magellan
03-01-2007, 20:42
Th RC4 seems larger; more suited to medium format. I've got 2 Rc2 units, a pan tilt on my tripod and ball on my monopod. I just leave the RC2 plate on the bottom of my SLR all the time, works just great!
Thanks guys itll be the 488 RC4 as that is on offer at the mo!
Thanks for your help. :thumbs:
Taken from Manfrotto brochure.....486 is strong enough to take 35mm SLR cameras with medium lenses and light medium format cameras.
488 can take the heavier MF cameras.
As above the only difference between RC2 and RC4 seems to be the size of the release plate.
I went for the RC2 and 488 Head and am VERY happy. Just wish I'd chosen the 190 legs instead of the 'HEAVY' 055 :)
No bad choice - the larger platform should aid stability. If you have any lenses with their own tripod bush think about getting spare plates which you can leave fixed to the lens all the time - saves a lot of buggering about and swapping plates.
digitalfailure
03-01-2007, 21:08
No bad choice - the larger platform should aid stability. If you have any lenses with their own tripod bush think about getting spare plates which you can leave fixed to the lens all the time - saves a lot of buggering about and swapping plates.
A wise comment there :)
Both my 20D and my 70-200 have the 200PL plate fitted all the time (200pl is the plate used on the RC2's) and I have a spare ready for future use. The continued screwing and unscrewing will soon gamage the threads on both the plate and the equipment.
RC4 has spirit levels on the plate (not the removable bit tho).
EDIT: I have an RC4, it's a pretty big plate but really sturdy :)
I have done some reading and it seems the Rc4 is a bit huge for slr's.
Im now trying to decide between the RC2 and the RC0. :thinking:
Apart from the RC0 having a hexagon release plate.....not sure if I can tell the difference.
RC0 has 2 spirit levels I think.
Janice, where are you finding these on offer? Thanks.
Doh, Joe.....I will have to trawl through all the places I looked now!!
Can YOU tell me the advantages of the RC2 over the RC0 ? Is the hex plate on the RC0 an advantage or disadvantage.........................I shall look for the offer for you now...as you are so nice!! ;) :naughty:
Its here Joe.... http://www.morrisphoto.co.uk/manufacturer~categoryid~158~sub~Ball+Heads~man~Man frotto.html free postage over £50 too!
HIMUPNORTH
04-01-2007, 06:55
Janice I had a 168 head with Hex quick release before changing to pistol grip with the smaller rectangulare plate this year. For SLR even with biggish lens the square plate is fine but would not be suitable for my Mamiya equipment.
If sticking with SLR you have option as previous poster says to put square plate on lens collar if going big with lenses.
The old head is significantly heavier in real world use.
HTH.
Janice the hex plates are usually used to provide a sturdier platform for medium format cameras. There's no real reason why they shouldn't be used with a DSLR. What you might not like is that properly aligned and mounted on the camera, the pointy bits of the hex stick out slightly at the front and rear of the camera - being wider than the base. Hope that makes sense. ;)
Janice I had a 168 head with Hex quick release before changing to pistol grip with the smaller rectangulare plate this year. For SLR even with biggish lens the square plate is fine but would not be suitable for my Mamiya equipment.
If sticking with SLR you have option as previous poster says to put square plate on lens collar if going big with lenses.
The old head is significantly heavier in real world use.
HTH.
Thanks HUN (It does feel rather strange calling you hun!!!) :naughty:
Ive always been the worlds worst decision maker..... and there are so many things to take into consideration.....specially as it takes me forever to save up so I cant go into it lightly.
Ive decided on the Manfrotto ProB tripod definitely
And almost sure about the 488 ball head...although the 222 pistol grip keeps coming into my mind.
and now the RC2 or RC0 quick release is another decision to make! :( Edit: that decision has been made for me by CT.... RC2 it is!!)
Janice, I got the 488RC2 a few days ago and can rate it, it's more than enough for my usage.
I had the 322RC2 pistol grip type thingy but couldn't get on with it.
I was originally thinking of getting the 486RC2 as it would have been enough for my gear but I am so glad I did not. The 488 has a separate panning control which for me was really worth the extra.
I am not sure I would ever be happy with using a joystick as I would rather have hold of the camera while adjusting it, though that is just me. Also I do not see the point of worrying about spirit levels on a tripod head when you can get hot shoe ones cheaply on eBay. Great if they come with one but not something that would sway a decision.
Michael.
Thank you all. Final decision is:
190 ProB tripod 488CR2 ball head. Morrisphoto here I come!! :thumbs:
Oooh I wouldn't have bought that! :lol:
Oooh I wouldn't have bought that! :lol:
I haven't yet...............I'm still deciding!!! :D
Only joking Janice :lol: I've got the 190 ProB legs and they're absolutley superb, really versatile. I'm using the 490 RC4 head/release plate and as others have said the RC4 is a very big plate! Prob too big for what I need but I'd sooner be over spec than under :thinking:
Prob too big for what I need but I'd sooner be over spec than under
Just like most men I guess! ;)
By the time you get the order sorted, they will be an RC5 :)
the 488 RC2 club grows even bigger !
I still havent quite ordered it yet................ I think I'm indecisive but Im not really sure..... !!! :|
LOL @ Janice.
If it helps - I'm now the proud owner of a 190PRO and 486RC2 head - which is a cracker. The weight limit on the legs is 5kg, and the head would actually take 1kg above that, so will certainly cover everything I need and more. Tried it with 30D, Grip, 70-200mm and 2 x TC and it felt as solid as you lke and safe as houses.
I suspect that's just thrown more confusion into the mix! :lol:
whiteflyer
04-01-2007, 18:11
Janice what's the best prices you've found ?
I'm looking at a 055proB and a 488RC2 the cheapest I've seen so far is from Fotosense in Bolton
055proB £99.99
488RC2 £64.99
As I live near by the would be no delivery charges as I'd pick them up but they do have the following offer
FREE Delivery on all orders over £100 - TODAY ONLY - UK Mainland Only (additional charge for Ireland) Offer ends 12pm 05/01/2007
Offer valid from 02 January 2007 to 05 January 2007
T4 cameras are best prices so far. 488RC2 head is £53.00
www.t4cameras.co.uk
IVE DONE IT...........ALL ORDERED..........SO NO MORE STUPID "WHICH TRIPOD AND WHICH HEAD" POSTS FROM ME!!! :D
..everyone on forum breaths a sigh of relief and sincerely hopes Janice doesnt win the lottery!! ;)
digitalfailure
04-01-2007, 18:39
Janice....... :eek:
are you sure you don't want to cancel the order and spend a few weeks looking elsewhere :D
Janice....... :eek:
are you sure you don't want to cancel the order and spend a few weeks looking elsewhere :D
.....ERM....!!!! :shrug:
:D :lol: :D
Are you sure you dont want to buy me something pretty instead?
Are you sure you dont want to buy me something pretty instead?
Ok, Joe..........you ARE my toyboy after all! ;) :lol:
T4 cameras are best prices so far. 488RC2 head is £53.00
www.t4cameras.co.uk
IVE DONE IT...........ALL ORDERED..........SO NO MORE STUPID "WHICH TRIPOD AND WHICH HEAD" POSTS FROM ME!!! :D
..everyone on forum breaths a sigh of relief and sincerely hopes Janice doesnt win the lottery!! ;)
Yeah :)
IVE DONE IT...........ALL ORDERED..........SO NO MORE STUPID "WHICH TRIPOD AND WHICH HEAD" POSTS FROM ME!!! :D
..everyone on forum breaths a sigh of relief and sincerely hopes Janice doesnt win the lottery!! ;)
Does that mean no more "486 is a computer isn't it?" questions too :shrug:
/prob won't mean much to anyone else but Janice knows what I mean - care to explain? :lol:
/prob won't mean much to anyone else but Janice knows what I mean - care to explain? :lol:
NOPE!!! :embarrassed: :D :D
whiteflyer
05-01-2007, 12:21
Picked up a 055ProB and 488RC2 today :)
The head if much bigger than I thought, and will hold any kit I ever buy in the future :lol:
Picked up a 055ProB and 488RC2 today :)
The head if much bigger than I thought, and will hold any kit I ever buy in the future :lol:
That should do me then. Good job thats what I ordered!! :thumbs:
whiteflyer
05-01-2007, 14:21
By the time you get the order sorted, they will be an RC5 :)
the 488 RC2 club grows even bigger !
AH! That would be this one :lol:
http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/6090/rc5fv7.jpg
My Canon 30D on the 488RC2
http://img467.imageshack.us/img467/8118/ballheadhw0.jpg
Now that looks just the job. Thanks. My tripod is the 190B but I guess it will be just as good ...although a tiny bit shorter.
You will no doubt all be pleased to hear that I have received my tripod and head this morning!! :D
1 small thing. The spirit level is not balanced wherever I stand the tripod.
The bubble is half in an half out of the centre circle. I know this isnt a problem when using a ball head as the camera itself will be tipped up at all angles when shooting...........but I just wondered whether all your bubbles are central! (if you'll pardon the expression!)
Is the spirit level in the head or on the tripod Janice? If it's on the tripod then I wouldn't worry too much as you actually level up with the ball head. I have a head with a level on and also one on the pod. I rarely look at either tbh, usually lining up by eye anyway, but I seldom do anything which is that critical. ;)
No its on the legs, CT, which is why I realized it isnt an issue as such...just wondered if yours were straight!!
Other than that.............verdict...........FANTASTIC!
I first had a Benbo Trekker II for a year...and found it like fighting a greasy octopus in the middle of a field! I sold it recently and this is brilliant!!!
Now I just have to get the OOOMPH to get outside and take some photos!
HIMUPNORTH
08-01-2007, 09:52
You will no doubt all be pleased to hear that I have received my tripod and head this morning!! :D
Was going to make a receiving head joke but thought it might be in bad taste.
What?:shrug:
:D
:lol: at HuN :lol:
Glad you're pleased with it Janice - looking forward to seeing the pics you take using it now :thumbs:
Was going to make a receiving head joke but thought it might be in bad taste.
What?:shrug:
:D
I'm amazed that I didnt notice that when I first wrote it!!
But Im sure I dont know what you mean...........much!! ;) :D
Although having asked if your bubble appears in the centre....perhaps I had an inkling!! :D :lol: :naughty:
My bubble's off a bit too Janice :shrug: I never look at it though
whiteflyer
08-01-2007, 10:58
My bubble will go in the centre circle if I play about with each leg length.
The only time I can think this would be important is if doing several shots by panning the head and stitching them for a panorama.
I've also ordered a hot shoe bubble just to make sure :lol:
Well as long as you men are satisfied that your bubbles arent appearing the same as other men's....then who am I to argue!! :shrug: :D :lol:
I count myself lucky to have a bubble there at all! ;)
I bust my bubble years ago. :p
I bust my bubble years ago. :p
I was referring to a different type but in the same area!!
END OF DISCUSSION PLEASE!! :D
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